Abigail Adams

Historical Inspiration

By Shulamite on April 19, 2004 5:29:54 PM from

Shulamite

Join Date 01/2004

I'm in the middle of the book "Abigail Adams" and I simply adore her. She's probably one of my all-time favorite historical figures and definetly my favorite female. In fact, I try to emulate her as much as possible.

The book as been slow going so far... it's a great book, but its hefty. I read it in short spurts. (Well that and I read several books at a time so this one is in a revolving line.) I read the biography "John Adams" this summer. What a fantastic read! I was so excited to pick up this book on Abigail because I wanted more of her story and of her letters. She is truly an amazing woman.

She ran a farm by herself most of her life! She also saved almost every penny they earned and was very frugal. But one day she surprised her husband by having a library and office added onto the house for him when he came home from his stay in public office. How amazing. She paid for it all in cash out of money she'd saved.

Abigail was educated beyond what most women in her time were. She understood politics well and was a brilliant advisor to the president. She fiercely defended him in the face of lies from the other party and was ready to sever ties with a family friend who'd crossed them over his gossip and disloyalty to them. (Thomas Jefferson.) She traveled Europe and became quite good at the French language. Educating the children was entirely her job -- and she managed to turn out a president among them. She survived three of her children's deaths as well.

I think I'll write more on her when the inspiration strikes me. What a true lady!

Hey,
My favourite style of novel is the biography. I feel a learn so much from them, and they definately inspire me.

Ive read great biogs about on only men...
Stewart Diver
Lance Armstrong
Christopher Reeve
and more...
I dont think I've read any by woman, and now you have inspired me to do so!

T

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If I could only read in one genre, in order to learn about life, my choice would be biography. Your enthusiastic articulation of the past, and your ability to see the relevancy of past relationships to our own interactions, is a perfect example of why. Thanks for the post.

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T, Jimbo -- I'm excited someone else likes a good biography! And my, Jimbo, for such a misleading moniker, you're mighty articulate! I've not read the bios above. I did read some books "like" biographies. "The Day Lincoln was Shot" and "The Day Christ Died" by Jim Bishop and I read "Founding Brothers." I read Mark Twain's autobiography -- there's a really interesting guy! Thanks guys for the encouragement!

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